“I made the salad. Your wife did the rest. She made a lot, too, so you better have built up an appetite on that bike.”

“She didn’t tell you? The new veterinarian I hired for the clinic is coming over for dinner tonight.”

Setting the knife down, I give Jason my full attention. He’s leaning back against the counter, chugging a Bud Light as if it were water. That man must have been thirsty.

Jason is actually quite attractive. He’s tall, lean, and clean-cut, with short, chocolate brown hair. He’s not muscular, but well-toned. And whiter than white. You’d think he never goes out in the sun. However, he does make drinking a bottle of beer appealing. He reminds me of a Bud Light ad.

“You didn’t tell me you hired someone!”

I watch as he chugs the remainder of his beer, then rests the empty bottle next to him.

“Yeah, the intern from Florida Genna told you about.”

“The hot one?”

He laughs.

“Yes, the hot one,” he says between chuckles. “I hired him. Not for his good looks, or charms, but because he had some great ideas and strong feelings about becoming partner, so I let him go in on the place.”

“That’s awesome! I can’t believe no one told me!”

Not that anyone has to tell me. With Genna and I being so close, I figured it would have come up in one of our conversations prior to me moving here.

“It just happened within the last week. With getting you moved in, there was just too much going on. I like him. The staff does too. Genna met him briefly a while back. We thought it would be nice to have him over tonight to celebrate his kick-off. Tomorrow marks his first week as Dr. Jackson with For the Love of Paws,” he says, grinning.

“Jason, that’s so exciting! I’m happy for you.”

Genna walks into the kitchen. I watch as she goes to the cabinet to take out plates.

“What are you happy about?” she asks, taking out the last square black plate.

“Him hiring the intern. That’s awesome.”

“Oh, yes. For the clinic and for the ladies.”

“See?” Jason shakes his head. “The looks! The women only want him for his looks.”

“Honey, those poor women only have you to look at all day. And you’re married. They need the fresh meat.” She smiles at him innocently.

“What? I’m not enough to look at?” he jokes, acting as if he’s hurt.

“Baby, you are more than enough to look at. But I don’t feel like taking my claws out on my friends.”

I laugh at the small banter between the two.

“Aundrea, Jason was telling me last night he’s thinking of hiring some part-time help. I thought that might be something you’d want to do?” she questions, walking into the dining room.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s nothing special. Help with cleaning, filing, and maybe phones?” Jason adds.

“I thought you’d want to do something. You know, when you’re feeling good between treatments. Get out of the house,” Genna says, shrugging as she walks back into the kitchen.

“That might be good,” I say.

And it might.

I run back upstairs to change into something a little more appropriate for company. Leaving my pink tank top on, I slip off my extremely short cheerleading shorts and put on comfy yoga pants. Going into the bathroom, I apply a little concealer and mascara.

I readjust my wig until it sits correctly, then clip it into place. I’m lucky that this wig has built in clips to grip onto your hair. It’s the only reason it stayed attached to my head last night with Parker. Or was it this morning, technically? It’s made specifically for hair that is growing back. I prefer longer wigs, but they don’t look as realistic as the short ones. I’ve had this one since the beginning of August. Before that, I was a bleach blonde. It’s kind of fun to be someone else for a while. To feel like someone else.

As I finish running a brush through my hair, the doorbell rings. I make sure the last of my strands are in place before turning off the light and heading downstairs.

Just as I’m about to head downstairs, my phone goes off.

Jean: Hey. Sorry, I forgot to text you. I made it back safely. Have a good night. Talk to you soon. xo

Me: Have a good night. :)

When I reach the bottom of the staircase, Genna is talking to someone whom I assume is the new guy. His back is to me, and he’s leaning with one shoulder against the wall where the living room joins the dining room. He’s tall and has short hair that looks wet from a recent shower. Dressed in dark, washed out jeans that hug his body in all the right places, and a green t-shirt, he looks yum-o!

Jason clears his throat next to me. Embarrassed at being caught checking out his new employee, I laugh nervously.

“Not you too?” he asks. His eyes stay where mine are placed. Him.

“What?”

“All the girls at the office think he is so dreamy.” He drags out the “so” as he brings his hands up to his chest while lifting his shoulders slightly, displaying a cheesy grin.

I burst out laughing. It’s the voice I hear next that stops me, causing me to choke mid-laugh.

“Sorry I’m a little late.”

I recognize that voice.

His right hand comes up to run his fingers through his hair. That looks familiar too.

I know that hand.

I know those fingers. All too well.

This. Is. Not. Good.

“Oh, don’t be silly. You’re just fine. How was your day?” my sister asks. My sister! He’s talking to my sister! I need to get out of here fast.